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14 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 30, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com Music teacher strikes the right chord with students By Rana Sowdaey GRADE 12, T. A. BLAKELOCK Saggat. McLaughin. Diamond. Bernier. What do these names have in common? They all belong to amazing musicians. You may question the last one, but Bernier wouldn't argue the rest. When he was eight years old, Bob Bernier's ambition to play stemmed from viewing Neil Diamond on television. "It was just him performing alone, and I found that interesting," A teacher at Blakelock for 17 years, Bernier has taught History, English, Geography and Science. When the request for the new position came out, Bernier was interested. As a gui- tarist for more than 30 years, and experience with the students, who better to teach the new Guitar Music class than Bernier? Music is slightly different from his usual chair and desk class setup. But he explained that it's the students who truly make the atmosphere. "If they're enthusiastic all you have to do is direct them." The students only have positive comments about his classes. Keen, excited participants of his new music class, they have sincere words describing him as a teacher. "I'm interested in what I teach, and I like the challenge of find new ways to keep the students interested," Bernier said. Throughout his years of serious hockey aspirations, university studying political science, and still now as a father of three, he has clearly kept well with the guitar and is continuously playing and learning. "You become like a sponge and the more you play, it becomes a passion," he said. Bernier believes everyone has their own style. "Everyone plays differently; it could be the same song but from your fingers a different voice is heard and always, a different way of playing. No two people will play a song the same way." Bernier said the guitar is a vehicle that allows the individual to express their will or desire. "We'll give students this simple instrument and they have to do something with it. They can play it hard or soft. It's as good as that person wants to make it. Students have an opportunity to be challenged to the extent they wish." Bernier's influences such as Bob Dylan, Mary McLaughlin, and Neil Diamond, have had an effect on his style of playing the guitar. A casual, easy and free playing guitarist, Bernier is a new musical influence to a large number of students. Some teachers don't realize the influence they have on students. A boring teacher doesn't do any good for a student. An engaging and interesting teacher will make a difference. Bernier recognizes his influence on students and he admits to having had teachers, athletes and musicians as major influences that led him to where he wanted to be. Students in his guitar class agree that Bernier has struck the right chord with them. 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